Best of Preps jamboree features 23 football teams Aug. 11-13 at Finley Stadium

Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Three-time reigning state champion McCallie will play on the second night of the Best of Preps jamboree, which is set for Aug. 11-13 at Finley Stadium.
Staff file photo by Matt Hamilton / Three-time reigning state champion McCallie will play on the second night of the Best of Preps jamboree, which is set for Aug. 11-13 at Finley Stadium.

For the second straight year, due to the number of teams participating, the annual Best of Preps football jamboree will be spread across three days.

The preseason event, presented by Chattanooga Sports, features 23 teams and is set for Aug. 11-13 at Finley Stadium. There will be teams from Hamilton, Bradley and Marion counties, and Best of Preps newcomer Murfreesboro Blackman will also participate.

The first night will feature seven 20-minute quarters of action, followed by eight quarters each of the following two days. Admission will be $10 each day.

The first day's action includes last year's TSSAA Class 1A state champion, South Pittsburg, taking on Signal Mountain and Silverdale Baptist Academy, which returns 15 starters from its nine-win team last season.

Friday's matchups are highlighted by three-time reigning Division II-AAA state champion McCallie taking on Boyd Buchanan - which is now guided by Gary Rankin, the state's career wins leader, who was hired as head coach of the Buccaneers during the offseason. As for McCallie, the Blue Tornado also will take on Cleveland, while Chattanooga Christian - the Chargers' roster is led by Boo Carter, one of the nation's top junior prospects - will face Brainerd and Marion County, both of which hired new head coaches during the offseason.

Saturday's action begins with back-to-back games for Tyner against Central and Red Bank, and then Blackman - which features one of the state's fastest-paced offenses - will make its Best of Preps jamboree debut against Red Bank. The Blaze will also take on Baylor, which boasts several college prospects - including recent Ole Miss offensive line commitment Brycen Sanders - and is guided by Erik Kimrey, hired as head coach this year after working as an assistant at the University of South Carolina last season.

Spectators should note that per Finley Stadium restrictions, only one clear plastic bag no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches or a one-gallon clear, resealable plastic storage bag per person will be permitted. Fans will also be allowed a small clutch purse not to exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches. No other bags will be allowed inside Finley Stadium.

All items, including clear bags and clutch purses, are subject to search at the gates.

Other prohibited items include no outside food or beverages, no stadium seats with arms and no weapons of any kind, including pocket knives. The following items are permitted: cushions or seats without arms or pockets and small bags with medically necessary items. Diapers and nonmedical necessary items for babies and young children should be carried in a clear bag. An infant or child must accompany a diaper bag.

Contact Stephen Hargis at shargis@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6293. Follow him on Twitter @StephenHargis.

photo Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / McCallie's Tario Price collides with a Montgomery Bell Academy defender as he carries the ball in the TSSAA Division II-AA BlueCross Bowl state title game last December at Finley Stadium. The Blue Tornado will be back at Finley for next month's Best of Preps jamboree.

BEST OF PREPS JAMBOREE SCHEDULE

At Finley Stadium; all times p.m.Thursday, Aug. 11Signal Mountain vs. Lookout Valley, 6East Ridge vs. Lookout Valley, 6:30South Pittsburg vs. Signal Mountain, 7East Ridge vs. Sale Creek, 7:30South Pittsburg vs. Silverdale Baptist, 8Hixson vs. Sale Creek, 8:30Hixson vs. Silverdale Baptist, 9Friday, Aug. 12Boyd Buchanan vs. Ooltewah, 6Cleveland vs. Ooltewah, 6:30Boyd Buchanan vs. McCallie, 7Cleveland vs. McCallie, 7:30Soddy-Daisy vs. Brainerd, 8Soddy-Daisy vs. Marion County, 8:30Chattanooga Christian vs. Brainerd, 9Chattanooga Christian vs. Marion County, 9:30Saturday, Aug. 13Central vs. Tyner, 6Red Bank vs. Tyner, 6:30Central vs. Howard, 7Red Bank vs. Blackman, 7:30East Hamilton vs. Howard, 8Baylor vs. Blackman, 8:30East Hamilton vs. Notre Dame, 9Baylor vs. Notre Dame, 9:30

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